Is this Love – Episode 35

IS THIS LOVE – Episode 35

A story by Kennedy C Katongo

 

HE LOOKS HANDSOME

MATIMBA

I took a deep breath as I sat down. Immediately I noticed how some of the male species were looking at me. That never bottled me, I had learned to might my own business, that was the shortcut to happiness.

Chileshe kept looking back to were I sat, he would smile. I guess that was a way of him marking his territory. Guys and their egos.

I have to admit, he really looked good and what’s the word, ‘Clean’ compared to the last time I had met him. He came back to the table with a bottle of water and Embe in his hands, for himself, he chose a Fanta. Guess he was trying to be sober.

“I hope this is okay?” He asked me as he took a seat.

“Sure. I like Embe, reminds me of Mango juice.” With a smile I uttered those words.

“Am curious, we are just the two of us… Why the large pizza?” Chileshe asked. He had a look that was curious and suspicious at the same time. Am sure he was like, ‘Does this girl think we going to finish this?’ and I was like , ‘Hell yeah!’

I couldn’t help it but smile, my thoughts had taken me to a crazy place – it had been a while since I felt butterflies in my tummy.

From where I sat, the sent of his perfume gently caressed my nostrils as it translated a feeling that I can’t put in words. To think deeper, he smelt like a fruit basket that had every type of fruit that could cross your mind. Kidding. But he did smell damn good.

I didn’t want to stare at him but with every minute that passed as we eat I found myself looking and looking at him. The way he handled the slice of pizza in his hands to the way he ate it, everything was just art.

“Are you okay?” He asked me. His voice echoed in my ear. I was startled, my heart jumped as I didn’t expect it. While at the table I had began to day dream.

“Am sorry. It’s nothing.”

“It’s okay. I would like to satisfy my curiosity. Are we finishing this pizza?” He boldly asked me. That was followed by a complete look of uncertainty.

@@ @@ CHILESHE @@ @@

‘Is she even here? She looks lost in thought. Doesn’t she know that I can finish this alone?’ My eyes were fixed on Matimba as I thought to myself. I had just asked her about the pizza and she blushed without saying a word.

“We are going to finish it. It’s too big?” She asked me. She opened her bottle of water and took a lasting sip, almost drunk half of it. Was that even healthy?

“Big? That’s a joke. I just don’t want to finish it alone since you keep blacking out on me. What’s on your mind?” I asked her.

“Nothing!” She responded in a flash.

“Are you sure about that?” I asked her.

With a long smile, she giggled, “Am just thinking about how you look. Mr Handsome, guess money has accepted you.” She said in a teenagers voice as she shook her heard to make her words sound sassy.

I seriously didn’t know what was going on so I immediately jumped into the job offer she had told me about.

“I’ve brought the papers. I’ve gone through everything and am sure everything that is needed is in there.” I said one word after the next in my attempt to sound professional and clear.

“That’s good. I will make sure I give him a call.” “But since you working how will you manage to go for an interview if you will be on shift?” She asked me.

“Don’t worry about that. Besides I’ve been planning on stopping. I’ve over stayed my welcome at M&B.” I told her.

“I even forgot, how are your parents doing?” Matimba asked.

It had been a while since Someone asked me that. Lydia was the one who made sure she asked about mum every time we met. I wasn’t sure the reason behind it, and now Matimba had done it.

“Mum is okay. Things are getting better. Am certain if I land this job… Then everything will definitely be alright.” I told her.

“That’s good. Am very sure she’s proud of you.” She said warmly.

“Well, I don’t really think that. I think more in the lines of ‘am the reason she never advanced her studies'” I laughed as I said that just to add a bit of humour.

“Am sure she’s over that. Just don’t marry someone who will give your mother a hard time.” Matimba said in her response. It sounded passive but on point. “I have a question.” She said excitedly.

“Sure… What’s the question?” I asked her.

“What would you do if your wife doesn’t see eye to eye with your mother?”

“Wow! I really didn’t see that one. I’ve never thought about it, but from what I’ve heard and seen – Never pick a side between the two parties.”

I went on to explain to Matimba that a civil war between wife and mother is one I wouldn’t love to participate because both have valid points on what they think is best. But I added to that by pitching this; introducing a lady to your mother while in courtship is the best way to creat a favourable environment of understanding between the too. That way they can get accustomed to each other pretty early.

“For someone who has never given it much thought you seen to have answered wisely.” Matimba said as she popped her eyes wide open just to make me laugh.

“Why are you doing that?” I asked as I laughed. I almost choked on a slice.

“Am really sorry… Are you okay? I just wanted to make you laugh.” She said as she passed me her bottle of water.

“No it’s okay. I have mine.” I responded.

@@ @@ MATIMBA @@ @@

Seeing Chileshe choke himself due to laughter was an amusing site to see. Being around him now felt like everything I had once imagined when I was just getting to him. All the late nights we had chatting on Messenger and making sure we broke barrier to all conversations.

It was worth it being with him, and knowing that I understood him very well. Maybe it was because of that why I so much wanted him to get a good job so that he would help our his siblings. Since he was the pillar of the house.

To think of it, he was the only first born I knew that looked chilled, more like he didn’t have much to worry about. Yet, deep down the dude had a Nigeria Bag of issues and all sorts of pressures.

“You gazing at me, again.” Chileshe said. He had stopped coughing. His bottle of water was half empty now. Same as mine.

“I just can’t help myself. It’s been a while. Are you ready for graduation?” I asked him.

“I’ve never even thought about that. I doubt I will go. Am sure I will give it my thought when the time is near.” He responded.

“That’s good.” I said with a smile on my face. What was it about Chileshe that just had me smiling. It was never like this when I was around Ben.

 

To be continued…